Making Conversation on a Date

Awkward silences? Cat got your tongue? Mind gone blank? Can’t think of a thing to say?  Everything coming out wrong? Don’t despair. It is a well-known fact that the more you fancy someone, the harder you try, the worse the nerves get. Read on to ensure making conversation on a date becomes as simple and easy as pouring a glass of wine.

Don’t ask yes or no questions. For example: “Do you like this band?” should become “What bands do you like?” By the time your date has finished answering the question you should have thought of something else to say.

Stick to safe topics. Making conversation on a date is all about keeping the other person comfortable and relaxed. Safe topics include holiday destinations, sports, hobbies, pets, favourite movies and music, and favourite restaurants. Contentious subjects relating to religion, politics, philosophies and your plans for world domination should be kept for later. Talking about failed previous relationships is another subject that should be off the initial chatting list.

If you are naturally the shy type, and you know that making conversation on a date is not your strong suit, try memorising a conversation formula.  Plan a few questions to ask your date before you arrive. You could start with “How was your day?” After that you can move along to asking about siblings, pets, etc. Use the calendar for inspiration. For example, if the Festive Season is approaching, ask them what they normally do, and what are they doing this year. Most people have some great horror and/or humorous stories pertaining to the holiday season.

Try to get your date to keep talking about themselvs until you are feeling less nervous. Most people like to talk about themselves. Everybody loves a good listener, so you are scoring brownie points just by listening. You are also learning more about your date. If you are consistently not succeeding with making conversation on a date, perhaps you could stick to going to the movies as a first date. At least after the movie is over you will have that to talk about. You will also have spent a minimum of 90 minutes not having to make conversation at all.

Making conversation on a date need not be awkward. Plan ahead. Select your questions carefully and the words will flow as easily as the wine.